This array of article submissions, workshops, successful grants and grant
proposals, and other curricular innovations represents the commitment of
Virginia Tech faculty members to undergraduate written and oral communication
skills--a commitment which is the more striking in these hard economic
conditions, when so many demands are being placed on faculty time. This year 17
Virginia Tech faculty members were selected to present their work at the
International Writing Across the Curriculum conference (the largest number from
any institution), 20 writing-intensive courses have now been approved, and many
departments across campus are experimenting with student portfolios and
computer applications of writing instruction.

For the second successive year, 30 faculty members from across the university
will convene for May seminars to write, talk, and share ideas about "Assigning
Writing to Improve Teaching and Learning."

Nancy Metz has completed her two-year term as founding coordinator of the
University Writing Program, and will be returning to full-time responsibilities
in the English Department at the end of the semester. A call for faculty
members interested in filling the position of coordinator follows. The
coordinator will provide leadership for writing in all the disciplines and
majors of the university; faculty members in all departments are encouraged to
apply. Interests in writing improvement and writing as a method of learning are
essential, but faculty members need not define themselves as "experts" in
writing to provide coordination and leadership in this effort.

Coordinator of the University Writing Program.

The Provost's Office invites nominations and applications for the position of
coordinator of the University Writing Program. The University Writing Program,
an associated program with the Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching,
is the resource and coordination center for the university's efforts in
improving the written communication skills of students. Candidates must be
tenured faculty members at Virginia Tech. The coordinator will serve half-time
in the program, and continue to serve as a half-time faculty member in his or
her home department. The coordinator works closely with the director of the
Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, and reports to the associate
provost for undergraduate programs. The appointment is for a two-year period.

The coordinator will act as an advocate and facilitator for the new University
Core Curriculum's Area 1 requirements, which call for an expanded role for
writing in the undergraduate experience. The coordinator chairs an
interdisciplinary advisory committee, and serves as a liaison between this
committee and the University Core Curriculum Committee.

The coordinator is responsible for promoting writing throughout the curricula
of the university's programs, and will organize a team of workshop leaders to
offer a varied program of faculty development (brown bags, seminars,
teleconferences, outside speakers, etc.) The program publishes a newsletter
under the direction of the coordinator. The program office is located in
Hillcrest Hall, and the coordinator will work closely not only with the CEUT,
but also with the University Honors Program, the Office of Academic Enrichment
Programs, and the Academic Assessment Program on a variety of projects related
to the improvement and assessment of undergraduate education.

Secretarial support and assistance with desktop publishing and publicity are
provided. Applicants outside the English department are especially invited to
apply for this rotating position.

Review of letters of application with an accompanying vita will begin April
24. Applications should include names of three references. Virginia Tech is
committed to diversity among its faculty and staff and encourages applications
from women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. The position will be
available Aug. 16, 1995. Nominations and applications should be sent to Dr.
Susan R. Brooker-Gross, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Programs, 201
Burruss Hall Campus 0132. Phone: 231-6122 FAX: 231-7211 email:
srb144@vt.edu.